Each year students around the world have the opportunity to participate in a global social enterprise contest. The Hult Prize Competition poses students with a question concerning a global issue and gives them the chance to create a business solution. The winner of the competition not only gets recognition from all over the world, but also wins $1 million dollar cash prize to begin their business!
The first round of competition happens at the local level, usually on university campuses. Maryville College has been participating in the competition since 2013 and sends a lucky team to compete in a regional competition in the United States. This year was special because I was apart of the all-female team chosen to represent the school in the regional competition!
However, we ran into a little problem—the whole team would be out of the country on the dates of the regional competition in Boston. Both of my teammates were exchange students, scheduled to leave after the fall semester and I would be leaving for my semester as an exchange student in Japan! After vigorous planning, fundraising, emails, and video chats we all agreed and prepared to compete in the Tokyo Regional Competition.
The competition lasted for two days with competing, peer evaluations, and lots of fun. It was especially great for me to be around so many like-minded young adults who approached the challenge from multiple points of view. Though we did not move on to the next round, we did accomplish so much with being there and learning from the many people who attended from all over the world. And it was such an honor to represent Maryville College alongside my friends.
